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CU River iron ore exports exceeding expectations

22 June 2017

The reactivation of an iron ore export programme in South Australia appears to have been a successful and worthwhile investment with CU River Mining Australia, one of only two iron ore exporters in SA, announcing that they are ahead of schedule in achieving their target of 900,000 tonnes of iron ore production for this year

CU River and the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal have worked closely to ensure the smooth running of ship loading operations at Outer Harbor, Port Adelaide, with over 600,000 tonnes of iron ore exported over the last 12 months. Both companies’ collaborative efforts have brought new efficiencies into the Outer Harbor supply chain, which is over 800 kilometres long from pit-to-port. These efficiencies include enhancements to the tippler loading system, resulting in more efficient loading operations.

The Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal and CU River Mining Australia also won the award for Bulk Handling Facility of the Year (Resources and Infrastructure) at the 2016 Australian Bulk Handling Awards. The accolade recognises the team work of both companies that led to the reactivation of this South Australian iron-ore export.

CU River Cairn Hill Mine Managing Director Mr. Yonggang Shan said “Having reached over half of our target production level by June, it truly demonstrates the success of this investment in iron ore exports for South Australia. The mine at Cairn Hill has created more than 60 jobs and we are looking to undertake pit optimisation for expansion into a second pit, and potentially two more pits in future, subject to government approvals”.

South Australia’s Magnetite Strategy aims to secure $10 billion of committed investment in iron ore projects within five years. CU River is striving to increase the throughput of iron ore at Port Adelaide as they are currently investigating the feasibility of an inner and outer harbour loading solution that would aim to increase annual production to about 1.8 million tonnes. CU River have successfully implemented medium scale low margin magnetite processing and now intend to lever the proof of concept with an owner operator driven expansion

CU River will assist South Australia’s Magnetite Strategy goal of producing 50 million tonnes of iron ore magnetite per year by 2030.

Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal General Manager, Steve Cox, says that “The Terminal and employees are grateful to participate in such a project that bolsters SA’s economy”.